MAYOR Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo kicked off the start of the Christmas season in Manila with a a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Kartilya ng Katipunan on Friday night where she also announced that she and Servo will personally lead the 12-day distribution of Christmas food boxes to the some 700,000 households in the city beginning December 1, so that all families will have something to put on their tables on Christmas day.
Dubbed, ‘Sama Sayang Pasko sa Maynila 2024,’ the event was done simultaneously with the lighting of Christmas decorations at the Pasig River Esplanade, Rizal Park, Intramuros, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Museum and Metropolitan Theater.
Local and national officials led by City Administrator Bernie Ang, Congressman Rolan Valeriano, comebacking Congressman Manny Lopez, department heads and Manila City Councilors were present in the said affair.
Prior to the tree-lighting, Lacuna and Servo also joined Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General Luis Carlos in launching PhilPost’s 2024 Christmas stamps featuring the traditional ‘Simbang Gabi sa Ilog Pasig.’
In her message, Lacuna said the city government joins Manilans in the celebration of the holidays.
“Tayo po ang isa sa mga may pinakamahabang selebrasyon ng Kapaskuhan dahil ‘ber’ months pa lamang, ang lahat ay excited na sa paghahanda para sa Pasko. Anuman ang kalagayan sa buhay o sitwasyong kinakaharap, pinagsisikapan nating ipagdiwang nang masaya ang Kapaskuhan,” she said.
“Palagi nating sinasabi na dito sa Maynila, may pagkakapantay-pantay, anuman ang estado sa buhay, anuman ang kasarian, edad, paniniwala o sektor na kinabibilangan. Lahat kasama, dahil lahat ay mahalaga. Ipagdiwang natin ang Paskong may kalinga, may ginhawa at may saya,” Lacuna added.
The tree lighting ceremony was followed by a colorful fireworks display atop the iconic Manila City Hall clock tower.
The mayor also invited the public to join the “SamaMasayang Pasko sa Maynila Food and Goods Bazaar” which features stalls selling various kinds of food and gift items. Admission is free to the public and will run up to January 4, 2025.
